Alumni Photo Contest

We are pleased to invite 2023 CLS alumni to enter the 2023 CLS Alumni Photo Contest!

Submissions will be accepted through Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET and each entry should fall into one of five categories:

Mutual Understanding
Language Learning in Action
Language Partner, Roommate or Host Family Connection
Overcoming Challenges and Accomplishments
Group Bonding Moment

Photos should be accompanied by a thoughtful caption (no more than 150 words) that explains how the photo relates to the category. Please note that alumni will be limited to one photo entry for each category.

Winning entries will be selected by staff of the CLS Program at American Councils for International Education and the U.S. Department of State.

Winning photos will be selected based on visual impact, content/composition, technical quality, and thoughtfulness of written captions. Photos must be high quality JPEGs and may not exceed 10MB in size.

You will need to complete this form for each photo you would like to submit. Selected photos and their captions will be used for special edition CLS postcards. Winning photos and honorable mentions will also be featured on CLS Program social media. In addition, any photo submitted may be used in other CLS Program promotional materials.

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

Winners of the alumni photo contest will be sent CLS swag items via mail. Please note that we are only able to send packages to U.S. addresses.

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Program Language

Program Site

Photo Category Mutual Understanding: Photos and captions in this category should highlight an interaction where you shared your values, perspective, or beliefs as an American in your host community or capture a moment where you learned about your host community’s values, perspectives, or beliefs.Language Learning in Action: Photos and captions in this category should showcase an impactful language-learning moment, whether inside or outside of the classroom, during a cultural activity, or a group excursion. Language Partner, Roommate or Host Family Connection: Photos and captions in this category should showcase the relationship formed between you and your language partner or host family.Overcoming Challenges and Accomplishments: Photos and captions in this category should share a challenging aspect of your CLS Program experience and how you worked to overcome or cope with that challenge. Group Bonding Moment: Photos and captions in this category highlight the bonds formed between cohort members through the CLS experience.

Photo Upload

Photos must be high quality JPEGs (>2000 pixels on its shortest side) and may not exceed 10MB in size. Photos that have been digitally or otherwise altered will not be accepted. Minor adjustments, including sharpening, contrast and slight color adjustments, are acceptable. Please name the file with your name so that we can easily identify the submission. If submitting more than one photo, add a number to the file name.

Photo Location

Where was the photo taken? Identify landmarks, the city, etc.

Photo Caption

Describe the photo. What does the photo show and what is the story behind the image? Your caption should help contextualize the image and explain how this photo speaks to your experience.

Persons Appearing

Who appears in this photo? Leave blank if there are no people pictured.

I acknowledge and agree to the terms outlined above.

I grant the CLS Program and its administrators perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free and non-exclusive license to use, distribute, reproduce, modify, adapt and publicly display this image and accompanying caption and submission information for any purpose, including the promotion of the CLS Program, inclusion in reports, print materials and on CLS and the U.S. Department of State websites and social media. I also acknowledge that this photograph is my property and to the best of my knowledge, people in this photo are aware of its existence and have no objection to it being shared.

I consent to American Councils collecting and storing my data from this form.